frayed relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

'frayed relationship' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a relationship that is deteriorating or has become strained. For example: "The couple's frayed relationship eventually gave way to a bitter divorce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mr. Trump's decision will test his already frayed relationship with European leaders.

The New York Times

Nothing like a championship to forever mend a previously frayed relationship between a player and a coach.

The New York Times - Sports

"Business as usual will not be there," Mr. Gilani said of the already frayed relationship with the United States.

The New York Times

The Uruguayan's anger over Bordeaux's uninspiring transfer business and his increasingly frayed relationship with Martin is nothing new.

The Guardian - Sport

On assuming office, Yanukovich stated that his first foreign policy priority would be to repair a badly frayed relationship with Moscow.

The New York Times

GENEVA — The United States and Russia tried to mend their frayed relationship by having their top diplomats sit down to dinner here on Friday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

At the same time, Mr. Beck's defense of his and Mr. Romney's shared faith speaks to the long-frayed relationship between evangelical Christians and Mormons and raises the question of whether evangelicals will ultimately put aside religious differences and vote on common conservative issues.

The New York Times

The revelation of Corsi's arrangement with Infowars offers new context to the now-frayed relationship between Corsi and Stone, and how the on-again, off-again alliance between two of America's foremost conspiracy theorists has drawn the attention of Mueller's investigators.

The Washington Post

Ironically, in some ways the deaths of Ramon and Major have helped to mend the frayed relationship between residents and police in the wake of Tamir's death.

The Guardian

And that, the official said, is a complicated dance because of the union's frayed relationship with City Hall, which is why many of them want Ms. Quinn to help broker an agreement.

The New York Times

MEXICO CITY -- The biggest military corruption case here in recent years has worsened an already frayed relationship between American law enforcement officials and the Mexican Army, the institution most trusted and empowered by officials here to fight the drug war.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frayed relationship" to describe a connection that has weakened over time due to conflict, neglect, or other stressors. It effectively conveys a sense of wear and tear on the bond between individuals or entities.

Common error

Avoid attributing a "frayed relationship" to a single, sudden event. The phrase implies a gradual deterioration. If the break was sudden, consider "broken relationship" or "ruptured relationship" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frayed relationship" functions as a noun phrase, where "frayed" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "relationship". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable expression in written English. The word “frayed” implies something is worn or tattered, suggesting the relationship has undergone stress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Sports

10%

Opinion

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "frayed relationship" is a versatile and widely used expression to describe connections that have weakened or deteriorated due to stress, conflict, or neglect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it suggests a gradual decline, be mindful of attributing it to sudden events. Consider alternatives like "strained relationship" or "damaged relationship" to fine-tune the meaning. Remember that, as suggested by Ludwig, choosing the best alternative depends on the specific context and the nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strained relationship

Focuses on the tension and discomfort within the relationship.

damaged relationship

Highlights the harm inflicted on the relationship.

deteriorating relationship

Emphasizes the ongoing decline in the quality of the relationship.

tenuous relationship

Suggests the relationship is fragile and easily broken.

troubled relationship

Indicates the relationship is experiencing difficulties.

difficult relationship

Highlights the challenges and hardships within the relationship.

rocky relationship

Implies the relationship has been unstable and prone to conflict.

unhealthy relationship

Suggests the relationship is detrimental to the well-being of those involved.

broken relationship

Indicates the relationship has ended or is beyond repair.

estranged relationship

Emphasizes the distance and lack of connection between those involved.

FAQs

What does "frayed relationship" mean?

A "frayed relationship" describes a connection between people or entities that has become strained, weakened, or damaged over time due to various stressors or conflicts.

How can I use "frayed relationship" in a sentence?

You can use "frayed relationship" to describe various contexts, such as: "The constant disagreements led to a "frayed relationship" between the siblings." or "The political scandal further "frayed relationship" between the government and the public."

What are some alternatives to "frayed relationship"?

Some alternatives to "frayed relationship" include "strained relationship", "damaged relationship", or "deteriorating relationship", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "frayed relationship" in formal writing?

Yes, "frayed relationship" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is widely understood and used in various contexts, as seen in many news and media sources.